Haiti, 10 Months Later

"It's the greatest poverty to decide that a child must die so that you may live as you wish."

Mother Teresa, Roman Catholic nun

This breaks my heart, especially as a mother. These are pictures taken recently in Haiti. Life has not become "normal" for them, and cholera is becoming a swift killer of the people. Images like this make me long for heaven...a place where everything is right and fair, where there are no orphans, no death, no hunger. But we can still bring a little piece of heaven to these people today by helping in any way we can. If you are able to send money, I would recommend Compassion. I can guarantee your money goes to the people, I've seen it with my own eyes in El Salvador!

Help Haiti!

"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in..."

This verse is coming alive to me in the wake of the catastrophe in Haiti. We all have a calling to help...and that will look different for each person. I've already heard of people who have dropped everything and flown over to help. People are collecting items. People are praying. People are giving financially.

I can't get out of my mind the fact that there are probably pregnant Haitian women who have no shelter and no supplies. Mothers who have lost their children or have no place for their children to sleep tonight.

I know there are lots of different organizations that are sending people and collecting money, but I personally know people at Compassion and have seen first hand the integrity that the Compassion Organization has. So, if you don't already know where to send your money to help in the wake of the Haiti earthquake, may I suggest Compassion?

Will you join me in praying for all the mothers, especially those expecting, in Haiti?

Imagine giving birth on a dirt floor in a grass hut.

As an expectant mother, this touched my heart. Its hard to imagine being a pregnant woman in an under-developed country with such harsh conditions. To give birth to a child (that hopefully survives) in a small unsanitary hut...I couldn't fathom. Having no options other than that.

As my mom says, "When you sponsor a Compassion child or donate to Compassion, you are really partnering with another mom." I've been a long-time Compassion advocate...but this gives me a new mission! I'm going to continue partnering with moms across the world. I don't know what this is going to look like, but my heart has been stirred!

Give a Happy Birth Day

Imagine giving birth on a dirt floor in a grass hut.

No doctor, no medical equipment, no help available in case of an emergency. For mothers in developing countries, that is often the harsh reality.

1500 mothers and 10,000 newborns die every day due to complications that could have been prevented just with the presence of a skilled birth attendant.

But Compassion prepares mothers for the big day, providing a skilled birth attendant and medical supplies for birth in a clean, safe environment. For just $100, you can supply a developing world mother with a safe birth today

Gifts that Give Back

This Christmas, Matt and I are seriously reconsidering what we give our loved ones for Christmas. While physical gifts can be wonderful, we also believe that there are eternal ways we can give as well.

Especially as we start our family, we are even more in tune to the message we want to send to our children about materialistic things and what Christmas is really all about.

Our church has been doing a series call "750...in the black" and its been really challenging me (us) to completely trust God with our finances. And it all comes down to the fact that its not our money, but God's and he's made us stewards of it. So how are we probably going to spend God's money this Christmas? How about donating to charity on behalf of your loved one?

Here's some ideas...maybe you would be inspired too!

Gifts of Compassion (My Personal Favorite)
World Vision Gift Catalog
A Gift from the Heart - Habitat for Humanity
Operation Smile
Harvest of Hope
*Changing the Present
Give-A-Tree
Heifer International
*Donors Choose - Connecting You to Classrooms in Need
*The Good Card
To Write Love on Her Arms
Living Waters for the World
Operation Christmas Child
Bible League
Bibles International
Any Soldier


Maybe you'd still like to give a gift, but still want to help out. Check these out!

Toms Shoes (For every pair of shoes you buy, one is donated to a child in need)
Spend Yourself (100% of the profit goes to the cause each shirt supports)
Ten Thousand Villages (Your fair trade purchase of handmade jewelry, home decor and gifts helps improve the lives of thousands of artisans in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East.)
*Better World Books
*Uncommon Goods
*Gift Back (10% of purchase goes to charity)
*CommonThreadz - For every tshirt you buy, a school uniform is donated in Africa

Anyone else have any ideas for Gifts that Give Back?

*Any link marked with a (*) I have not personally purchased or known anyone who has purchased through them. I would encourage you to do your research. :)

Do You Have Beautiful Feet?

Last night, Matt and I watched the movie "Slumdog Millionaire". I have heard some good things about it before, but had never seen it. It was a good movie, but left me with a very heavy heart. My fear is that people will watch the movie and not think about how it is real life...it is not a set that someone created based off their imagination. But people actually live their lives in poverty such as this. They are forced into life situations based on their circumstances. I've seen it with my own eyes on many mission trips.

This is one of the many reasons why I am excited that we have not cancelled our trip to Juarez, Mexico. We leave in a few short weeks. I know so many have expressed concern, but I have excitement and anticipation. Our students will be exposed, probably for the first time, to what true poverty looks like. It is real, and we are called to do something about it, swine flu or not.

Psalm 82:3-4
Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.

Proverbs 3:27-28
Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act. Do not say to your neighbor, "Come back later; I'll give it tomorrow" — when you now have it with you.

Proverbs 14:31
He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.

Romans 12:13
Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

I read about situations like the cyclone in Bangladesh and my heart breaks for the children that were effected. It makes me proud to partner with organizations like Compassion International and Buckner. I am proud of our students who are meeting every week to pray for the city of Juarez, Mexico and the family we are building for. I am proud of the students we have going to Mexico and their excitement rubs off on us! I am proud of the ministries our church partners with, such as Rio Bravo.

Romans 10:15 says, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"

I hope that the day I meet God he tells me I have beautiful, well-worn feet that walked wherever God wanted me to go!

So, how are you responding to the call to help others? Where are you going to "walk"?

If you would like updates on our trip to Juarez, Mexico you can check out the blog: http://juarez09.blogspot.com/.

Teach Your Children About the World

This is a very cool thing from Compassion!  What a great way to teach your children about the world around them and what God has called us to do!

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Are your children pretty web savvy? Do they spend a LOT of time online? I mean are they typical kids? 

How about you? Are you a kid at heart?

If you said yes to any of these questions, we have some exciting news just for you.

We just launched our new kid’s Web site, Quest for Compassion, and we think that it is not only engaging but entertaining too! We love it, and are confident that your kids will as well. Not only is the site fun, but it’ll educate your youngsters all about the ministry of Compassion.

The site is designed for children between the ages of 6 and 10, and it provides a virtual opportunity for them to travel around the world — to four different countries where we work:  Ghana, Bangladesh, El Salvador and Brazil.

It helps your kiddos experience a Compassion child development center and the surrounding community, and will give them perspective on what a child’s life in the developing world is like.

Each child will “build his or her own buddy” to travel with — by choosing gender and skin color – and will be able to give the buddy a name. Then they can pick a region of the world to travel to.

Each town and country is filled with objects to click on and games to play. And with the help of their “buddies,” your world travelers can also learn key words and phrases in each country’s native language. Through these various games and fun facts, your children will get to see and hear about the life and culture of our Compassion kids around the globe.

We created the Web site through the use of real-life still shots taken in the countries where we work, which we brought to life through the use of animated children, teachers and animals that your children will meet along the way.

This is a new, fun and safe way for children, and even for you, to learn more about our ministry.

Visit the site today with your children to discover who and what awaits you! And be sure to tell us what you think.

Compassion International - Its Your Turn!

I ask that you take 30 seconds and watch this video.  

"God is in the slums, in the cardboard boxes where the poor play house. God is in the silence of a mother who has infected her child with a virus that will end both their lives. God is in the cries heard under the rubble of war. God is in the debris of wasted opportunity and lives, and God is with us if we are with them."

-Bono

Compassion International - You Can!

Dear God … I was telling a friend about you. He wants to know how old you are.

This is an actual prayer from David, a little boy in Ecuador. Children in poverty have so little, but they share what little they have … like David, who shares his faith in Jesus Christ with others. What an amazing lesson the poor teach us about generosity! To learn how you can make a difference today or to hear more prayers from children in poverty, go to compassion.com/youcan.

I was looking through my child's information today and found this cool information about her home country of Ethiopia:

Greetings

Amharic

Tenaystilign? (How are you?)

The word tena means "health." If translated literally, it would mean, "May you have Health." Implicitly, it would mean, "May God give you health." To respond, one would say, Egziabeher Yimesgen, Dehena Negne. This means, "God be praised, I am fine."

Oromifa

To ask, "How are you?" in this language, say, Naguma, Fayuma or Naga, which are interchangeably used depending on regions or locations.

4 Days Until We Set Sail!

Matt and I are so excited because the Hearts at Home cruise is heading out on Saturday! We are flying down on Friday and I can't wait! This vacation has been two years in the making and its crazy to think its finally here!

Don't forget to join Compassion's Day of Prayer and Fasting tomorrow. We will honor the victims of the global food crisis and pray for them.

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Living Out Galatians 6:10 - Global Food Crisis Fund

My house is clean! YAY! My mom left me a message last night and she said, "Maybe that spider is what will keep you from piling up your clothes again!" Hehe...I think I will always be her little girl!

Last night was our first small group of the summer. We finished digging through Galatians. Galatians 6:10 says, "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers."

I had the girls put their name in a bowl and choose someone else's name. We then wrote encouraging notes to that person that I am mailing out today (Yes snail mail! I think its an important thing that we take for granted). I was trying to teach them ways to live out Galatians 6:10. I think its very interesting that Paul emphasized caring for those who belong to the family of believers. One of the girls mentioned that we tend to forget that those closest to us need our help too.

I wanted to share with you another opportunity to live out Galatians 6:10. As I am sure you have read in the news, all of the flooding in the Heartland is going to cause a spike in food prices (such as corn and grain). The World Food Programme calls the global food crisis a phenomenon, a "silent tsunami," that is affecting families in every nation on every continent. Food prices for popular menu items like rice, wheat and beans have doubled in the last year.

Though increases in food prices have hit all budgets, it's the poor who bear the brunt of price inflation. The higher prices are forcing people who survive on just $1 a day to spend upwards of 80 percent of their budgets just on food. As a result, many people, including millions of children, are going hungry. The longer food prices rise, the more people will be plunged into hunger and poverty. Many of the children that are a part of the Compassion project are only able to eat at the Compassion projects!

ABOUT THE GLOBAL FOOD CRISIS FUND
Compassion International has launched the Global Food Crisis Fund to bring aid to those most adversely affected by rising food costs. More information is available and donations can be made at https://www.compassion.com/contribution/giving/global-food-crisis.htm

COMPASSION'S DAY OF PRAYER AND FASTING
Compassion International has set aside June 25 as a day of fasting and prayer to honor the victims of the global food crisis and pray for them. Join me on June 25! Even if you aren't financially able to donate to the fund (we aren't able to either) the most powerful thing you can do is pray!

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CHECK OUT SOME OF THESE OTHER RESOURCES:
http://blog.compassion.com/a-day-of-fasting-and-prayer
http://blog.compassion.com/the-silent-tsunami/
http://www.mnnonline.org/article/11277
http://www.christianpost.com/article/20080601/32614_Compassion_International_Prepares_For_World_Food_Crisis.htm
http://www.christiantoday.com/article/compassion.prepares.for.world.food.crisis/19191.htm

Compassion International - El Salvador Office

I just discovered that someone on our trip to El Salvador posted this video that shows the El Salvador country office. She explains what happens with the letters, etc. Enjoy!

Compassion International - 1,000,000th Child Registered

Meet Jeffry. He lives in Nicaragua, and he is Compassion's 1,000,000 registered child.


The difference between a registered child and a sponsored child is that registered children are waiting to be sponsored.

The registered children are the ones whose pictures you see on the web and in the child packets at concerts and other events, such as Compassion Sunday.

The registered children are the children who may wait several months to be chosen by a sponsor and who the Unsponsored Children's Fund assists until that sponsor comes along. The Unsponsored Children's Fund bridges the gap between registration and sponsorship.

Please help Compassion reach 1,000,000 sponsored children. Sponsor a child today.

(Copied from Love Laid Bare)

Compassion International - Are My Letters Important?

I have recently discovered the Compassion International Blog. I would encourage you, whether or not you have sponsored a child, to check it out. Its a glimpse into a wonderful organization and stories from around the world!

They have been talking about whether or not our letters are important. I am more and more convinced that they are crucial. In fact, I am going to take that one step further. I think letter writing is important period! My mother-in-law is great at sending cards. If for any reason she has to send us a package or something by mail, she always finds these great cards to go along with. They make us feel special!

I have a card that my mom wrote to me when I was in fourth grade that she sent while I was at camp. My dad sent me some cards for every single day of one of my mission trips back in high school. I have kept every single one.

A few months ago, I sent one of my students a card. When she saw me next, she was so excited because that was the first card she had ever received! Letter writing speaks love and care because it took time and you truly thought of that person!

Moral of today's post...I would encourage you to pick up a pen and paper today and write to someone! :)

Compassion International, El Salvador - Update #3

We are back! I came in on Friday absolutely exhausted! I slept 12 1/2 hours once I got home!

What a trip! I don't even know where to start and I am honestly a little overwhelmed trying to put my trip into words...even 4 days later! My mom and Megan have done a great job of telling some of their stories and I am sure that as the days go on my stories will continue to trickle out.

In the mean time, enjoy some of the pictures I took:

Compassion International - El Salvador

Update #2 (my last one from El Salvador)

There is so much I want to say and I am still trying to process it all. The one thing I will say for today's post, is you can 100% trust Compassion International with your money and what they are doing with it! I can guarantee that your money goes to your child!

One of the major misconceptions I had before coming was that I thought that my money hopefully went to my child but that's all. Compassion is so much more than that! THey have an entire program that the children apply to be a part of and it equips them to have a better future. They tutor the children and also teaches them how to take care of themselves, as well as other things to equip them to have a decent job!

One program had a beauty class, several had computer classes, sewing and other workshops were very common. One program also had a chicken farm where they taught the children how to take care of chickens but also how to create a business out of it. The children are truly in charge of the farm - all aspects including the selling of the chickens to local businesses!

All that to say - Compassion is Awesome! Matt and I have a child named Busualem (or Buzz as Matt likes to call her) in Africa. I am confident that she is well taken care of and is going to have a future!

I really want to sponsor more children now!

One last thing - if you have a compassion child - WRITE TO THEM! It means so much! When we visited a child's home he ran in and grabbed a letter that his sponsor had written to him. He was holding it as if it were going to break!

Below, the little girl on the right is named Annita. She was attached to me and I will be praying for her! She is a little preacher!

Compassion International - El Salvador

Update #1

I know I said I wouldn't be updating, but its hard not to! :)

What a trip! Its hard to put into words what we have experienced so far. We arrived safe and sound although mom and Erica's luggage along with several others was left in Houston. So they didn't get their luggage until late last night. But it arrived!

Yesterday we toured the Compassion El Salvador headquarters. The one thing I can say about Compassion is they are ORGANIZED! The best organization I have ever seen! All projects (Compassion Schools) are run the same organizationally. They all have a folder on each child with copies of their work and letters. They get audited twice a year. Everything is so organized!

Today, we visited two different projects as well as a child's home. Her name was Mariana. It was heart breaking to see a family of 5 live in a house the size of my king sized bed! NO EXAGGERATING! Even though they don't have materialistic things, many are full of joy because of Christ. So often I find myself discontent because I don't have matching furniture or don't have the latest kitchen utensils. The picture below is Mariana and her mother.

One little girl I met today was Tatiana. She was just excited that she could sit beside me and hug me. At each project they put on a program for us. They asked that we pray, so I closed my eyes and bowed my head. I heard Tatiana moving beside me and the next thing I knew a hand was on my head. Tatiana and all of the other children were laying their hands on us as we prayed! I wanted to say, "NO! I should be praying and laying my hands on you!" It was very humbling! Someone brought nail polish and painted her fingernails. She ran up to me to show me! It was really cool to have a connection, even though there is a language barrier.

Below is a picture of a volcanic lake! Beautiful!